Portable boat landing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A portable landing apparatus for use on a boat or similar vessel adapted to be beached or driven ashore during landing thereof to protect the bottom surface of the boat during beaching of the latter. The apparatus employs an elongated, rigid member disposed transversely on the bottom surface of the boat and releasably secured thereto by a pair of spring-loaded fastening assemblies adapted to be mounted over the gunwale on each side of the boat for yieldably biasing the rigid member into engagement with the bottom surface of the boat, and a securing cable adapted to be attached to the bow of the boat for holding the member from sliding toward the rear of the boat during beaching of the latter.

United States Patent Dickey [451 Sept. 26, 1972 [54] PORTABLE BOAT LANDING APPARATUS [72) Inventor:

City, Mo. 64129 I221 Filed: Nov. 27, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 93,052

52 user. .Q ..114/219 511 lnt.Cl. ...B63b2l/04 5s FieldofSearch ..ll4/2l9,230;9/1T

[56] References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 687,603 6/1964 Canada ..1 14/219 452,701 3/1913 France "114/219 Roy F. Dickey, 5400 Skiles, Kansas Primary Examiner-Even C. Blunk Assistant Examiner-H. S. Lane Attorney-Schmidt, Johnson, l-lovey & Williams [57] ABSTRACT A portable landing apparatus for use on a boat or similar vessel adapted to be beached or driven ashore during landing thereof to protect the bottom surface of the boat during beaching of the latter. The apparatus employs an elongated, rigid member disposed transversely on the bottom surface of the boat and releasably secured thereto by a pair of spring-loaded fastening assemblies adapted to be mounted over the gunwale on each side of the boat for yieldably biasing the rigid member into engagement with the bottom surface of the boat, and a securing cable adapted to be attached to the bow of the boat for holding the member from sliding toward the rear of the boat during beaching of the latter.

4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDsarzs m2 INVENTOR- Roy F. D/okey A WORNEYS.

PORTABLE BOAT LANDING APPARATUS This invention relates to the field of boat-landing apparatus and, more particularly, to a portable apparatus utilizing a rigid support member mounted on the bottom surface of a small boat or the like to protect the same from injury during beaching of the boat.

Operators of small motorboats or the like oftentimes desire to land their craft at various places on the shore or beach other than at established permanent landing facilities. This landing operation conventionally consists of driving the boat up and onto the shore with the bow resting on the surface of the shore. This landing or beaching operation however, in many instances, results in major damage to the bottom surface of the boat caused by the scraping and striking of the rocks and other abrasive materials on the shoreline against the bottom surface of the boat as it is driven up onto the shore. The bottom surface of the boat may also be damaged by the rocks and other materials on the shore after the boat has been beached due to the rocking action of the waves and the resultant grinding of the bottom surface of the boat on the shore. Various attempts have been made in the prior art to alleviate this problem of damage to the bottom surface incurred during the beaching operation, but for the most part, such attempts have enjoyed limited success due to either their cumbersome nature, both in manipulation and operation, or to their complexity and cost of manufacture.

Accordingly, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a portable boat-landing device which may be easily attached to and removed from the bottom surface of a small motorboat or the like.

It is another important object of the present invention to provide such a device which employs yieldable means to continuously bias the device into engagement with the bottom surface of the boat during beaching thereof.

It is still another important object of the present invention to provide such a device which will substantially eliminate any damage to the bottom surface of the boat resulting from the beaching thereof.

Yet another important object of the present invention is to provide such a device which may be economically manufactured from redwood or other buoyant material.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a portion of a portable boat-landing apparatus embodying the principles of my invention shown in its operative position mounted under a conventional small motorboat;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of the motorboat and apparatus of FIG. 1, showing the complete apparatus, taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1, with part of the apparatus being shown in elevation and in phantom to more clearly reveal details of construction; and

F IG. 3 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of the portion of the apparatus now shown in FIG. 1 taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2, the portion of the apparatus being broken for purposes of illustration and convenience.

A portable mounting apparatus embodying the principles of my invention is generally indicated in the drawing by the numeral and is conventionally used in conjunction with a small motorboat 12. Landing apparatus 10 broadly includes an elongated, rigid support member 14, a securing cable 15, and a pair of fastening assemblies 16 each having a hook bolt 18, an intermediate connecting rod 20, a mounting spring 22, and a hook-shaped bracket 24.

Support member 14 is preferably constructed of redwood or any other material possessing similar buoyancy qualities to present a generally rigid, elongated unit having a length substantially equal to or greater than that of the width of the boat and having an upper boat-engaging surface 26 and an opposed lower shore-engaging surface 28. Upper surface 26 is preferably provided with a pad 27 constructed of rubber or other yieldable material for engaging and cushioning the lower surface 29 of boat 12 when member 14 is mounted on boat 12. Member 14 is provided with a loop 17 on a forward surface thereof coupled to one end of securing cable 15 which-is releasably coupled on the other end thereof to a loop 19 provided on the bow of boat 12. Member 14 is also provided with a plurality of openings 30 spaced longitudinally from each end thereof toward the center of member 14. Openings 30 extend transversely through upper surface 26 of member 14 and terminate in a plurality of recesses 32 provided within the lower surface 28. Openings 30 and recesses 32 are provided in member 14 in order to receive hook bolts 18 which are inserted downwardly through openings 30 on each side respectively of member 14 and which are secured thereto by the provision of nuts 34 threadably received on the free ends of hook bolts 18 and complementally received within recesses 32. Recesses 32 allow nuts 34 to be disposed within member 14 in a position wherein nuts 34 are protected from being damaged on the surface of the shore during beaching of the boat 12.

lnterrnediate connecting rods 20 comprise an elongated, central section 36 and a pair of eye hooks 38, one on each end of the central section 36. One eye hook 38 of each intermediate rod 20 is coupled with each hook bolt 18 for securely attaching intermediate connecting rods 20 to member 14 adjacent its respective ends thereof. The other end of each intermediate rod 20 is coupled to the coil mounting springs 22 which are, in turn, coupled to generally U-shaped brackets 24, brackets 24 being configured to be received over and onto a respective gunwale 40 extending longitudinally on each side of boat 12. Intermediate connecting rods 20 are preferably provided with a protective collar 37, constructed of rubber or other yieldable material, mounted around the greater portion of the length of the central section 36 in order to prevent the possibility of damage to sides 39 of boat 12 from rubbing against rods 20 due to the close proximity of rod 20 with sides 39 when the fastening assemblies 16 have been attached to boat 12.

In use, prior to beaching of the boat 12, the member 14 and its related fastening assemblies 16 and securing cable 15 are taken from a storage position within the boat 12 and are mounted on the latter by an operation 7 which may be easily completed within the boat by casting member 14 over the bow of boat 12 and by pulling fastening assemblies 16, disposed along both sides 39 of boat 12, rearwardly to the proper position adjacent the bow of boat 12 wherein the member 14 is horizontally disposed transversely across and below the bottom of the boat 12 with the bottom surface 29 of the latter engaging at least a portion of pad 27 provided on the upper surface 26 of member 14. Fastening assemblies 16 may then be stretched upwardly to a position wherein bracket 24 is complementally received over gunwale 40 on each side of boat 12. With bracket 24 mounted over gunwales 40, springs 22 serve to bias member 14 and pad 27 toward and into tight engagement with the bottom surface 29 of boat 12. The other end of securing cable 15 is attached to loop 19 on the bow of boat 12 for securely holding member 14 against sliding movement toward the rear of boat 12 during beaching of the latter as the lower surface 28 of member 14 engages the surface of the beach. As may be appreciated, the springs 22 of fastening assemblies 16 in conjunction with securing cable 15, securely and accurately position and hold member 14 in its proper position in relationship with the bottom surface 29 of boat 12 to protect the latter during the beaching of boat l2'with the lower surface 28 of member 14 engaging the surface of the beach 42 and supporting lower surface 29 of boat 12 in spaced relationship free and clear of the surface of the beach 42.

I As may also be appreciated, support member 14 may be used on boats of varying widths due to the provision of a plurality of openings 30 and recesses 32 spaced longitudinally toward the center of member 14 from the ends thereof which allows hook bolts 18 to be secured to member 14 at selectable positions along the longitudinal length of member 14, thereby enabling fastening assembly 16 to be adjusted inwardly or outwardly on upper surface 26 in order to accommodate the varying widths.

Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is adapted to achieve its objects in a positive and straightforward manner with reliable structure that is economical to manufacture, convenient to install and remove, and requires little or no maintenance.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. An apparatus for use on a boat or similar vessel adapted to be beached or driven ashore during landing thereof to protect the bottom surface of the boat from injury during the beaching of the boat, said apparatus comprising:

an elongated, rigid member positionable below the horizontal plane of said bottom surface of the boat to extend transversely of the longitudinal axis of said boat, said member being configured to engage said bottom surface when so positioned and to support the boat and hold said bottom surface free and clear from the surface of the beach during beaching,

said member having an upper surface adapted to engage said bottom surface of the boat and an opposed lower surface adapted to engage the surface of the beach,

said upper surface of the member being provided with resilient means adapted to engage said bottom surface of the boat for cushioning the latter during beaching of the boat;

yieldable fastening means on each end respectively of said member adapted to be releasably secured to each side respectively of said boat for, mounting the member on said boat and biasing the same into tight engagement with the bottom surface of the boat during beaching of the boat; and

securing means on said member adapted to be releasably coupled with the boat for holding said member against shifting movement longitudinally of the boat in a direction generally opposite to the path of travel of said boat during beaching thereof.

2. An apparatus for use on a boat or similar vessel adapted to be beached or driven ashore during landing thereof to protect the bottom surface of the boat from injury during the beaching of the boat, said apparatus comprising:

an elongated, rigid member positionable below the horizontal plane of said bottom surface of the boat to extend transversely of the longitudinal axis of said boat, said member being configured to engage said bottom surface when so positioned and to support the boat and hold said bottom surface free and clear from the surface of the beach during beaching,

said member having an upper surface adapted to engage said bottom surface of the boat and an opposed lower surface adapted to engage the surface of the beach;

yieldable fastening means on each end respectively of said member adapted to be releasably secured to each side respectively of said boat for mounting the member on said boat and biasing the same into tight engagement with the bottom surface of the boat during beaching of the boat with at least a portion of said upwardly facing surface of the member engaging said bottom surface of the boat, said fastening means including hook means extending from said member adjacent each end respectively of said member for securing said fastening means to said member, intermediate rod means coupled at one end thereof with said hook means and extending generally upwardly along each side respectively of said boat when the member is mounted on the boat, spring means coupled at one end thereof to the other end of said intermediate means for yieldably biasing said member into engagement with the bottom surface of the boat when the member is mounted on the boat, and generally inverted, U-shaped means coupled with the other end of said spring means and adapted to be fitted over and supported by the top edge of the gunwale on each side respectively of the boat; and securing means on said member adapted to be releasably coupled with the boat for holding said member against shifting movement longitudinally of the boat in a direction generally opposite to the path of travel of said boat during beaching thereof.

3. The invention of claim 2, wherein said member is provided with openings extending transversely through said upper surface of the member and terminating in corresponding recesses formed in said lower surface, said hook means comprising a hook-shaped bolt having an elongated shank portion extending through selected openings for releasably securing said hook-shaped bolt to said member.

4. The invention of claim 3, wherein said member is provided with a plurality of openings and corresponding recesses spaced from each end thereof longitudinally toward the center of said member for receiving said hook means at selectable positions along said member, whereby said member may be mounted on boats of varying dimensions. 

1. An apparatus for use on a boat or similar vessel adapted to be beached or driven ashore during landing thereof to protect the bottom surface of the boat from injury during the beaching of the boat, said apparatus comprising: an elongated, rigid member positionable below the horizontal plane of said bottom surface of the boat to extend transversely of the longitudinal axis of said boat, said member being configured to engage said bottom surface when so positioned and to support the boat and hold said bottom surface free and clear from the surface of the beach during beaching, said member having an upper surface adapted to engage said bottom surface of the boat and an opposed lower surface adapted to engage the surface of the beach, said upper surface of the member being provided with resilient means adapted to engage said bottom surface of the boat for cushioning the latter during beaching of the boat; yieldable fastening means on each end respectively of said member adapted to be releasably secured to each side respectively of said boat for mounting the member on said boat and biasing the same into tight engagement with the bottom surface of the boat during beaching of the boat; and securing means on said member adapted to be releasably coupled with the boat for holding said member against shifting movement longitudinally of the boat in a direction generally opposite to the path of travel of said boat during beaching thereof.
 2. An apparatus for use on a boat or similar vessel adapted to be beached or driven ashore during landing thereof to protect the bottom surface of the boat from injury during the beaching of the boat, said apparatus comprising: an elongated, rigid member positionable below the horizontal plane of said bottom surface of the boat to extend transversely of the longitudinal axis of said boat, said member being configured to engage said bottom surface when so positioned and to support the boat and hold said bottom surface free and clear from the surface of the beach during beaching, said member having an upper surface adapted to engage said bottom surface of the boat and an opposed lower surface adapted to engage the surface of the beach; yieldable fastening means on each end respectively of said member Adapted to be releasably secured to each side respectively of said boat for mounting the member on said boat and biasing the same into tight engagement with the bottom surface of the boat during beaching of the boat with at least a portion of said upwardly facing surface of the member engaging said bottom surface of the boat, said fastening means including hook means extending from said member adjacent each end respectively of said member for securing said fastening means to said member, intermediate rod means coupled at one end thereof with said hook means and extending generally upwardly along each side respectively of said boat when the member is mounted on the boat, spring means coupled at one end thereof to the other end of said intermediate means for yieldably biasing said member into engagement with the bottom surface of the boat when the member is mounted on the boat, and generally inverted, U-shaped means coupled with the other end of said spring means and adapted to be fitted over and supported by the top edge of the gunwale on each side respectively of the boat; and securing means on said member adapted to be releasably coupled with the boat for holding said member against shifting movement longitudinally of the boat in a direction generally opposite to the path of travel of said boat during beaching thereof.
 3. The invention of claim 2, wherein said member is provided with openings extending transversely through said upper surface of the member and terminating in corresponding recesses formed in said lower surface, said hook means comprising a hook-shaped bolt having an elongated shank portion extending through selected openings for releasably securing said hook-shaped bolt to said member.
 4. The invention of claim 3, wherein said member is provided with a plurality of openings and corresponding recesses spaced from each end thereof longitudinally toward the center of said member for receiving said hook means at selectable positions along said member, whereby said member may be mounted on boats of varying dimensions. 